Alan Shearer’s brutal transfer warning to Man Utd that fans won’t want to hear

Alan Shearer was full of praise for Manchester United in their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal – but he warned that one area could pose significant problems for Ruben Amorim

Alan Shearer believes that Manchester United’s “downfall” this season will hinge on whether Ruben Amorim brings in a new goalkeeper before the transfer window shuts. The Red Devils put on a vastly improved performance in their Premier League opener against Arsenal, despite suffering a 1-0 defeat.

The Gunners found the net early in the first half through Riccardo Calafiori, after a blunder from keeper Altay Bayındır gifted the defender a simple finish at the far post. While United registered more attempts – both on and off target – and enjoyed better pass accuracy and completion rates, they failed to capitalise on this dominance for the remainder of the game.

However, supporters will have been encouraged by Amorim’s side throughout the first game of the 2025/26 campaign and the progress since the conclusion of last season.

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Ex-Newcastle legend Shearer hailed the performance of the Red Devils at the weekend, but issued a warning regarding their problem area between the sticks. Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, the Premier League top scorer praised new signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo for bringing fresh energy into Old Trafford.

Shearer said: “I think for me the two standouts [Cunha and Mbeumo]. I mean Cunha was very good and Mbeumo was excellent. They brought a bit of unpredictability, they brought a bit of a spark and a bit of life to Manchester United.

“I do think that there was definitely more energy to the game, they certainly looked more organised, but you would feel more comfortable if they had a goalkeeper in there who you could rely on.

“I think if they don’t get that, then that could be their downfall. It remains to be seen if anything happens in the next couple of weeks. But in terms of general play, I thought it was a lot better from Manchester United.”

At present, United have Andre Onana, Bayindir and Tom Heaton as their choice of shotstopper – yet neither Amorim nor supporters appear convinced by any of their options. Onana was regularly rotated with Bayindir during the previous campaign, with the pair conceding 58 goals in the Premier League last year.

Onana failed to make the matchday squad for the opening fixture of the season, with 39-year-old veteran Heaton taking his place on the substitutes’ bench instead.

Paris Saint-Germain shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma remains on United’s wishlist, following his omission from the squad that travelled to face Tottenham in the UEFA Super Cup last week.

His deal in the French capital expires at the end of next season, meaning he could leave without a hefty transfer fee. Given the existing friction between player and club, it appears likely that the goalkeeper will exit Paris this summer for a reduced fee, though United’s rivals Manchester City are currently frontrunners for his services.

AC Milan’s Mike Maignan is also on the Red Devils’ radar as they consider a potential swap deal for young striker Rasmus Hojlund. The Danish forward has found himself out of favour with Amorim and looks set to bid farewell to Manchester this summer.

In a surprising twist, it’s been reported that David De Gea could make an unexpected comeback to United following the discovery of a release clause in his Fiorentina contract that could see him depart for a cut-price fee.

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